Perfect decelt

shb

e shift in power. I sat curled in the wide leather chair, legs too

t through the room-r

barked, fists clenched at his sides. "

old as hell, he lifted a single brow. "I'm securing

aw him stumble, like the word itself had struck him square in the chest. Emily Lautner

d in, their presence heavy, and escorted my father out like a criminal. His eyes swep

ked as

me, shielding me from the boardroom applause that followed.

ered into my hair. "Just remember.

di

ered eve

o

ilence. The kind that hangs in the air after a

an on the marble floor. The defense attorney sat stiff an

t just misled. She was targeted. Exploited. Humiliate

jury, eyes sharp

t a game played by the wealthy. Today, you remi

try to object. He looked like he

r. Just silence again. But this time, it was the good kind. Th

yes did the talking as I packed up my

ed toward me, clinging to my hand like it wa

ay it," she whispered, her voice shaking. "You d

t glad the truth finally came out

zone. Setbacks, late nights,

ain," she said, eyes glistening. "Everyone jus

t you, Beverly. You didn't steal that money-they wanted you gone. A threat in their perfect little

swallowing

words left to say, I st

usuall

w, watching the city's lights flicker like a million tiny promises. My suit was st

idn't tas

erile. Like I'd

aked open wi

ch in hand. "This bet

the last person I ever ex

an La

harp jaw, and those silver eyes I'd only seen in pict

r," I said, keeping my voi

epping inside like that

every inch the composed profes

d sweet as I remem

I know you well eno

y in the same parks. I held your hair bac

nd then you stood by while your father t

I was a kid, Paisley.

u here? If not t

ted that I noticed how good he

Help? I'm not in the busi

om the inside?" he asked. "And you

But it wasn't there. He was desperat

re se

be here if

ed. "You know who my father was, ri

ou. Because if there's one person who won't lie

e it

ray

s like an accusation. A

ieve this is some mor

. Someone's bleeding Laveldi dry from the inside. If I don't stop it, they'll sell

owed m

y father's legacy t

the window, scotc

t to call security and have you dragged

think you want the truth just as much as I do. You want j

ated that he

my desk. "If you chang

him as he re

tly, "Your dad was better than they ever were, Pa

I stared at that business

ly.... I rea